"My apologies, Brother -- I'm one o' the newcomers arrived in town a few days ago; found Yemi on the Road and brought him home? Was jus' lookin' for a quick blessing before we head out into th' woods to hunt that creature."
With a prayer or without, Morti will hasten to take his leave from the aged priest and seek out his companions. Hope the others are ready for a hunt; can't say I'll be sorry to finish our work and leave this place. -- And it doesn't seem as any here will be sad to see us go.
Caramir turns the page around in his hands, curious about what magic lies embedded therein, but is unable to come to a conclusion, which actually only heightens his curiosity even more - "Their meaning seems to elude my knowledge, but two of my travelling companions are also versed in arcane magic - would you allow me to show this to them?" - he inquires.
"Also... This is already much more than we could expect and I do not want to abuse your generosity, but victories are made of things uncommon and mundane alike" - the elf adds - "Would you have in your possession any easily flammable material that could be used as a weapon against the monstrosity that has assaulted Levoca?" - he insists.
Nodding sadly, Okrin turns away wordlessly. Finding the nearest bit of grass or dirt off of the path were villagers walk, he gently sits the mushrooms down, still wrapped in bits of his robe on the ground. Digging two small holes, he places each mushroom in a hole of its own before covering both in dirt.
"It seems I'm doing more harm than good around here. Best we track that creature down as soon as we can."
Excellent. Lets get going then.
Karl stands up, ready to go.
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"Don't play coy with me lad! Take off that beard at once! What use do children have with whiskers!?" He tries to seperate you from your beard, but he is very slow, and you manage to tire him out quickly. While he is catching his breath, you get the chance to make a quick prayer.
It's all yours mate. Mother Molvor told me you men were set for to stop the wooden killer. The thing is of no use to me. Can't drink it, or light it, or feed Yemi with it. What good is it?
He hears you out. Drash: "I figured that may be some kind of fire spell, y'know? Some of the little wibbly bits looked like fire to me when I was a lad. Can't say I have anything special or of much use, I'm afraid. We've all been stocking up our winter stores to keep us warm, but I take it you won't be settling for kindling and logs?
Rata, Mak, and the Baron are chatting outside the barn. Rata has his pipe out, and you watch him strike it up.
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"So who had a track on the direction this creature went?"
"...An' Brother Arkadius, may your remaining years bring you peace and content."
Morti backs out of the chapel, leaving the old man to himself, and looks around to find his companions, fishing some hardtack and dried fruit from his pack to munch on.
"Thank you Drash, you have already helped much more than we could ever ask for" - the Elf smiles, then bows to him and takes his leave - "We will make sure to put it to good use"
Outside he meets with Mother Molvor - "I guess from my end, we are about ready to leave - let us go find the others?" - then accompanies her as they go to meet the rest of their companions.
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The sun rises near to high noon over the thorpe's small clearing. A few of the workers wipe their brows and give in to the smells wafting out of their loamy homes. Mother Molvor declines Caramir's invitation. She doesn't get around as well as she used to. "Get your men together, m'lord and we'll leave when they're ready."
It looks as if our group needs to meet at Olav's old house to proceed.
Following the others, Okrin makes sure he still has a bit of hay tucked in his robes.
Morti rejoins the others with a mild grimace, "Not sure I been that productive 'round here this morning, aside from sharpening my desire to find this Hollow Man and be done with 'im. Shall we be off to the good Mother's cottage to pick up th' trail?"
Nodding, perhaps a bit to enthusiastically.
"It is high time to find that trail. Looking toward the others. Did any of you find some way to burn the creature?
As the others join them, Caramir produces the scroll offered them by Drash - "Before we leave friends - two things I would like to share with you. I was unable to procure the flammable items we could use as weaponry against this Hollow Man, but we have been offered this by Olav's son - he believes it can aid us against that creature"
Showing it to the others so they can examine it, he adds - "It is a magical scroll, but I have been thus far unable to decipher its contents - perhaps one of you can do so" - the elf has a gleam in his eyes.
While his companions check the item, he reaches for his pack for some dried rations - "With all we had to do this morning, I haven't even eaten yet" - he shakes his head with a smile - "Did you have any luck in finding anything that can assist us with the task ahead?"
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Karl casts read magic and, with caramir's permission, examines the scrolls.
Mikka arose from a peaceful night's rest, spending the dawn in communion with nature, the winds speaking to her of preparation for change. She had come this way, drawn by both lore of the rare blue blossom she sought, and the guidance of Freya. Her journey so far was full of wonder, the primeval forest far beyond her wildest dreams. It was wild, untamed and undoubtedly dangerous to anyone not alert to natural threats, but above all else it was beautiful.
As she moved through the dense brush, she smiled to herself hearing the comforting screech of Zephyr high overhead, scanning for dangers beyond those she could perceive ahead.
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Karl, what Caramir hands you is an obscure rendition of a single spell, torn carefully from a spellbook and protected inside a frame.
One With The Tombell
Casting Time 1 round
Components V, S, DF
Range personal
Target you
Duration 1 hour/level of the spell (D)
Saving Throw Will negates (harmless); Spell Resistance yes
(harmless)
One With The Tombell spells appear on a druid’s list the first time they
prepare spells within the Tombell Wood.
This spell may be prepared in any slot of 1st–9th level.
When cast within the Wood, this incantation feeds a constant trickle of magical energy into the forest life. For the duration of the spell, you can cast spells of the same level or lower without drawing the attention of local inhabitants and you relieve party magic from suffering any local siphoning effects. This spell gives away your position to nature entities. It makes sneaking almost impossible when attempting to avoid notice from the agents empowered by the location (-20 to stealth checks).
...
You wander a little ways when out of the corner of your eye, you glimpse an odd hut through the trees, its chimney is unlit. There seems to be a half-fallen-down fence around it. Do you investigate?
Looking toward Karl.
"May I be of assistance?"
Caramir also adds his insight on what the actual spell may be, since he was unable to decipher it the first time.
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This is a variation of the Floating Disk - "Force Barrier".
It allows you to construct a plane of force that can be rotated, raised or lowered. Your normal floating disk is always forced to hum along at 3 ft. This version will rise to 6ft or lower to the ground. In this manner, it could be used to block most 5ft wide entryways.
Looking on curiously.
"So did you figure out what the spell is? In either case, seems we should get a move on. On to Mother's garden if I'm not mistaken."
Its a force barrier spell. Variation of a shield spell I think, but can be used to block passages or impede foes. A shield spell simply defends its caster.
Nodding.
"Curious. Can it hold weight then? I wonder if such a spell might be used to speed work on the kiln. Looking back in the kiln's direction disappointedly. Not that there is time for such an endeavor."
"Aye, good mother. Lead on, and we'll do our best to keep wahtever that maraudin' thing is from troubling your garden. And, er, do please tell me where not to step -- wouldn't want to go trampling yer plants myself."
Caramir nods in silence, and accordance with Morti, then looking away to the path ahead of them.
Slapping Morti solidly on the shoulder.
"Couldn't have said it better myself. turning toward Mother Molvor. But I must admit. I would quite like to learn a bit about the plants you keep in your garden. If there is time of course. No sense stopping to smell the flowers and miss catching the creature."
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"It looks as if we are being led somewhere." Mikka says quietly to Zephyr as she looks at the now distant cottage. She's heard stories of Freya leading her faithful to where they needed to be, though the wilderness from her mother and others in the circle.
Smiling to herself, she set forth, keepingthe broken down cottege in view as she trusted in her goddess' guidance.
"Let us meet with Mak and Montepierre - Mak has been doing a good job of maintaining the town's defenses well organized, but perhaps the baron would accompany us!" - the elf adds, going back to where he had found his two companions before, by Anna's homestead.
"Well met friends, we are about to leave and would like to know what your plans are for the time being - we would welcome your company on this venture" - he speaks directly.
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"Aye, I spoke with the women yesterday. These hicksams won't be napping away the afternoon again. Not for some time, I warrant."
He turns to Caramir, "But perhaps timber can wait. In which case, I would accompany you as well. Bug, You need only say the word. Just be careful with the flyer, lest he come backs to me whinging over those footsores of his."
hey Mak, it could be fun. Won't be, but it could. Maybe.
"My expectation is that we will draw the focus of all this toward us - in fact I still think this may have been the case when we decided to turn back" - the elf comments - "But that is irrelevant at this point. Mak, if you think the village can react appropriately against a threat that may rear its ugly head, then I trust your judgment on this" - he smiles.
"It would seem that as far as attacks go, they usually take place at night, so we really should make haste" - he adds, resolute.
Nodding at the prospect of a larger force.
"If you two are with us we'll have a better chance of stopping the creature.. Before it returns to harass the village."
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Mak and Baron share a look and then pick up their packs to join you.
You head North on the main trail past Kaerl's house.
You travel at Mother Molvor's pace, but it seems to only take an hour of walking.[spoiler=perception for mikka DC 10 and party DC15]If party: you see a woman(mikka) just off the trail. If Mikka: you see the party approaching between a break in the brush.
"There, I see someone walking alone - does not seem to be from Levoca" - the elf points out, raising a hand in greeting.
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Keeping an eye on the ground for tracks, Morti looks up at Caramir's words. "Where? Does he look dangerous? ...Er, 'she', I suppose. But the question remains." he corrects, following the elf's gaze.
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Mak and Baron share a look and then pick up their packs to join you.
You head North on the main trail past Kaerl's house.
You travel at Mother Molvor's pace, but it seems to only take an hour of walking.
Someone approaches Karl readies his quarterstaff, and points her out.
A blue haired girl climbs down from a tree. She'd found a good breakfast of bird's eggs, some nuts and even a tree ear mushroom. A feast, she thought happily.
She whistled as she walked down the path and stopped abruptly.
What was that? No bird, or forest animal surely. No... that was the sound of footsteps, and hooves?
She pulled out her spear and braced it. "Who goes there?"
Startled by the shout, he looks up. Smiling, he calls out "Hello friend! Tell me, do you happen to know what is along this path?" He gives a tug on the lead to stop the mule.
Looking at the girl, he then follows up "Oh, and the name is Kakao! What is your name?"
"I see them too."
Cyanne studied the newcomer but did not lower her spear. He certainly LOOKS harmless... Whatever is he doing HERE?
"My name is Cyanne," she said at last. "And no, I do not know what is ahead of us on the path. I was traveling this direction myself."
Realizing she sounded ungracious, she paused.
How long had she been in the woods, talking only to stars that did not talk back? Unless...
Lady Kel, I asked for a sign. Is this what you sent to me?
She lowered her spear and smiled, "I know only one phrase in gnomish to greet you with:
"Das Mehl ist 2 Kupfer oder ein Huhn. Wir danken für Fairhill-Mühle."
"Welcome, Kakao. What brings you out this way, so far from any town?"
A human that knows my language? Well, this will be an interesting day!
The gnome looks relieved when you lower your spear. Puzzled by her phrase, Kakao replies "Flour? I generally work more with candies and other sweets than pastries."
He pauses a moment, then gestures back along the path. "I saw a serpent go down this path and decided to follow it. It would seem I lost track of it and instead found you."
Thankfully it seems this time it was a good omen rather than a warning. It is so often difficult to tell the difference.
Grinning, he adds "Perhaps we can explore this path together? I would be happy to have the company. Perhaps I could teach you a few other words in my tongue...such as 'Willcommen' and 'Freund'. I find those words very useful when meeting someone new."
With a slight pull on the reins and a click of the tongue, he starts his mule moving forward towards the girl. He looks her up and down as he approaches.
A spear, so probably not a professional mercenary. Knows how to climb. She seems to be protectively carrying something...
Food?
When he gets close enough for normal conversation, he asks "Have your broken your fast this morn? I am in no hurry if you wish to eat before the journey."
Seeing a number of heavily armed and armored men approaching, Mikka studies them with a wary glance. Groups of brigands quite often appeared to be friendly to catch their prey off-guard. Though one of them was raising his hand in greeting, she could not be too careful, although here in the wilds of the forest, her surroundings gave her a greater sense of security. They were after-all in her element.
"Hello, well met gentlemen." the druidess says in greeting. he was acutely aware of Zephyr perched on a branch high above her.